Recombinant lentiviral vector for expression of a flaviviridae protein and applications thereof as a vaccine

ABSTRACT

Use of a recombinant lentiviral vector comprising a polynucleotide fragment encoding at least one protein of a virus of the family Flaviviridae or an immunogenic peptide of at least 8 amino acids of said protein, for preparing a pharmaceutical composition intended for the prevention and/or the treatment of a Flaviviridae infection in a sensitive species.

The present invention relates to a recombinant lentiviral vector for expression of a protein of a Flaviviridae and to its applications as a vaccine intended for the prevention and/or treatment of an infection with a virus of the family Flaviviridae, in a sensitive species (host or reservoir)

The family Flaviviridae is divided up into three genera: Flavivirus, Pestivirus and Hepacivirus or hepatitis C virus; Flaviviridae represent a major human and veterinary health problem due to the large number of both human and veterinary diseases induced by Flaviviridae. Specifically, there are, for example, more than 70 species of Flavivirus, at least 50% of which are the cause of human or veterinary diseases.

Flaviviridae are small enveloped viruses. Their genome is a single-stranded RNA molecule of positive polarity, of 9.5 kb to 12.5 kb, depending on the Flaviviridae, and contains a single open reading frame flanked by two short non-coding regions at its 5′ and 3′ ends. This open reading frame is translated into a polyprotein, which is the precursor of the structural proteins, in its N-terminal portion, and of. the non-structural (NS) proteins, in its C-terminal portion.

More precisely:

-   -   for the Flaviviruses, the genome is a single-stranded RNA         molecule of positive polarity, of approximately 10-12 kbases.         The genomic RNA is combined with several copies of the capsid         protein C so as to form the nucleocapsid; it is surrounded by a         viral envelope consisting of a double lipid layer derived from         the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes, in which the envelope         protein E and the membrane protein M are anchored. The         Flavivirus genomic RNA contains a single open reading frame of         approximately 10 500 nucleotides, flanked by two short         non-coding regions at its 5′ and 3′ ends. The genome is         translated into a polyprotein of approximately 3400 amino acids,         which is the precursor of the three structural proteins C, prM         (intracellular precursor of M) and E, in its N-terminal portion,         and of at least five non-structural (NS) proteins NS1 to NS5, in         its C-terminal portion. The following structure is therefore         observed: C-prM/M-E-NS1-NS2A/2B-NS3-NS4A/4B-NS5,     -   for the Pestiviruses, the genomic RNA is longer than 12 kbases,         and contains a single open reading frame translated into a         polyprotein of approximately 3900 amino acids, which is the         precursor of 11 to 13 pestiviral proteins, four of which are         structural proteins: the following structure is observed:         N^(pro)-C^(ems)-E1-E2-p7-NS2-NS3-NS4A/4B-NS5A/5B and     -   for the Hepaciviruses, the genomic RNA comprises approximately         9.5 kbases, and contains a single open reading frame translated         into a polyprotein of approximately 3000 amino acids, which is         the precursor of the three structural proteins C, E1 and E2, in         its N-terminal portion, and of at least seven non-structural         (NS) proteins NS1 to NS5, in its C-terminal portion. The         following structure is observed:         C-E1-E2-NS1-NS2-NS3-NS4A/4B-NS5A/5B.

Many serious human and animal pathologies are induced by the viruses of this family; according to the infecting virus, the various symptoms observed are generally fever (cyclic or non-cyclic), haemorrhagic fever, diarrhoea, encephalitis, hepatitis or septic shock. More precisely, the various viruses in question are the following:

-   -   Flaviviruses: the majority of Flaviviruses are transmitted to         the vertebrate host by mosquitoes (Culex, Aaedes, Anopheles or         Mansonia) or ticks: (i) viruses transmitted by mosquitoes:         dengue virus (types 1 to 4), yellow fever virus (YFV), Japanese         encephalitis virus (JEV), West Nile virus (WNV), Murray Valley         encephalitis virus (MVEV), Saint-Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV)         and (ii) viruses transmitted by ticks: tick-borne encephalitis         virus (TBEV), Kyasanur forest disease virus, Omsk haemorrhagic         fever virus and Louping ill virus.     -   Pestiviruses: border disease virus (BDV), bovine viral diarrhoea         virus (BVDV) and classical swine fever virus (CSFV) or hog         cholera virus.     -   Hepaciviruses: hepatitis C virus and hepatitis G virus.

Migratory birds can be the reservoir of some of these viruses, in particular the West Nile virus, which has also been noted to cross the species barrier, in horses and humans.

A certain number of vaccine strategies have been proposed to date (Gould E A: Flavivirus Infections in Humans, Encyclopaedia of Life Sciences, 2001; Pugazchev K V et al., Internat. J. Parasitol, 2003, 33, 567-582; Putnak R et al., Advances in Virus Research 0.2003, 61, 445-468; Smith D B, Hepatitis C virus, Encyclopaedia of Life Sciences, 2001) and relate to:

-   -   vaccines containing live attenuated viruses or inactivated         viruses (Pugachev K V et al., 2003, mentioned above; Gould E A,         2001, mentioned above; Brinton M A, Annu. Rev. Microbiol., 2002,         56, 371-402; Hamers C. et al., Vet. Rec., 2003, 153, 8, 236-240;         Kovacs F. et. al., Vet. Microbiol., 2003, 96, 2, 117-131);     -   vaccines containing viral subunits;     -   vaccines containing one or more virus-derived antigens (Wang T         et al., J. Immunol., 2001, 167, 5273-5277);     -   vaccines containing chimeric viruses (Pugachev K V et al., 2003,         mentioned above); or     -   DNA vaccines (Putnak R et al., 2003, mentioned above; Turell M J         et al., Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2003, 9, 9, 1077-1081;         Davis B S et al., J. Virol., 2001, 4040-4047; Pan C H et al., J.         Virol., 2001, 75, 23, 11457-11463); these vaccines use various         vectors. In particular, Putnak R et al., 2003, mentioned above,         specifies that, for optimum expression, the most appropriate         regulatory elements should be chosen (promoter and enhancer); in         general, at the very least for the Flaviviruses, it is         recommended to use plasmid vectors comprising a CMV promoter         (plasmid pcDNA3, Invitrogen, for example) or RSV promoter and         coexpressing the prM and E genes and, optionally, also at least         one non-structural protein.

Taking, for example, WNV, the emergence of which in the northern hemisphere, and in particular in the United States, is quite recent, the various vaccine strategies currently proposed to combat West Nile virus infection are as follows:

-   -   Japanese encephalitis virus produced in mouse brain, inactivated         with formol (JE-VAX®, Aventis-Pasteur; Monath et al., Curr. Drug         Targets Infect. Disord., 2001, 1, 37-50); the existence of a         cross protection capable of protecting humans or horses against         West Nile viral infection has not been demonstrated and is         controversial (Monath, A M; Trop. Med. Hyg., 2002, 66, 113-114).         In addition, studies in mice have shown that cross immunity         could induce brain inflammation during West Nile infection;     -   formol-inactivated West Nile virus (International Application WO         03/061555); this vaccine proposed for the immunization of horses         has been found to be devoid of any pathogenic effect and         effective against West Nile virus infection in horses; however         due to the low magnitude humoral response, several injections,         followed by annual boosts are required;     -   chimeric virus derived from the attenuated strain of the yellow         fever virus (strain 17D; ChimeriVax™-WN); more precisely, the         ChimeriVax®-West Nile chimeric virus contains the prM-E cassette         of WNV strain New York 1999, in the attenuated virus YV 17D         (International Application WO 03/059384 and Pletnev A G et al.,         PNAS, 2002, 99, 5, 3036-3041; Monath T P et al., Curr. Drug         Targets Disord., 2001, 1, 1, 37-50); the prM and E genes of the         West Nile virus are inserted into the yellow fever virus or the         dengue virus, which therefore serve as vector. The genes         encoding the nucleocapsid protein and the non-structural         proteins, and also the non-translated terminal regions that         originate from strain 17D or from DEN4, are used for replication         of the recombinant chimeric virus. The chimeric viruses         replicate in the host like the 17D or DEN4 virus, but immunize         specifically against the West Nile virus (Monath et al., Curr.         Drug Targets Infect. Disord., mentioned above) Infection with         the chimeric virus stimulates the various pathways of the immune         response. In addition, the chimeric viral particles contain the         complete E protein, which has redundant neutralizing epitopes.         Thus, replication of the chimeric virus in the host induces high         titres of neutralizing antibodies that prevent early         dissemination of the virus, and the cytotoxic T immunity         eliminates the virus that has succeeded in infecting cells. The         post-infection memory response, which is rapid and stronger than         the post-vaccine response, also contributes to the protection         against West Nile infection. It has been shown that prior         immunization with the 17D strain does not inhibit infection with         the chimeric virus but, on the contrary, it increases the         production of specific antibodies. It has also been shown, in         mice and non-human primates, that the ChimeriVax™-JE chimeric         vaccine is less neurovirulent than the 17D strain. In addition,         the genome of the chimeric virus is stable over repeated         passages in vivo and in cell culture. The ChimeriVax™-WN         chimeric viruses are derived from a vaccine strain that has         proved its innocuousness and its effectiveness in humans since         it was developed for human immunization more than 65 years ago,         and used in several hundred million individuals (Monath et al.,         Curr. Drug Targets Infect. Disord., mentioned above); however         the use of chimeric live-attenuated virus raises safety         concerns; non-homologous recombination between different species         is possible as demonstrated by naturally occurring recombinant         flaviviruses (Seligman S J and Gould E A, Lancet, 2004, 363,         2073-2075).     -   naked DNA (Davis et al., J. Virol., 2001, 75: 4040-4047; Turell         et al., Emerg. Infect. Diseases, 2003, 9, 1077-1081 and         International Application WO 03/061555); the naked DNA vector         used is a vector pCBWN comprising the cytomegalovirus early         promoter, a sequence encoding a signal peptide, derived from the         Japanese encephalitis virus, and the sequences encoding the prM         and E proteins of the West Nile virus. It has been shown that a         simple intramuscular injection of this plasmid induces         protective immunity against West Nile infection, in mice and         horses;     -   recombinant protein E (Wang et al., J. Immunol., 2001, 167,         5273-5277); the complete E protein or the E protein from which         the C-terminal region has been deleted (residues E1 to E409),         expressed in the form of a fusion protein in E. coli and         purified by affinity chromatography, induces the production of         neutralizing antibodies directed against the E protein, in mice.         The soluble E protein, from which the C-terminal region has been         deleted, induces complete protection in mice, whereas only         partial protection is observed with the complete E protein.

Even though most of the vaccines currently proposed are effective overall, there is nevertheless still a need for new preventive measures, and especially in the field of DNA vaccines with respect to Flaviviridae; in particular, there exists a real need for vectors that are useful both in the prevention of diseases induced by these viruses in human medicine and veterinary medicine, and in the eradication of these viruses in the reservoirs.

In fact, in the case of Hepaciviruses, for example, and more particularly of hepatitis C, trials aimed at protecting patients suffering from hepatitis C fail because the vaccinia virus is used to express the HCV viral proteins; now, this virus causes splicing which results in truncated viral proteins whose protective effectiveness is reduced (Dumonceaux J. et al., J. Virol., 2003, 77, 24, 13418-13424).

In addition, there is still a need for vaccines that only require few injections (one or two at most), so as to facilitate their use, in particular in countries where it is difficult to set up immunization programmes that are followed.

Surprisingly, the inventors have shown that a recombinant lentiviral vector for expression of at least one immunogenic protein of a virus of the family Flaviviridae effectively makes it possible to induce a strong immune response in the individual (human or animal) immunized, capable in particular of protecting said individual against infection with this virus.

The recombinant lentiviral vector was able to induce a very early, long-lasting, fully protective immune response against a high dose West Nile virus challenge.

The inventors provide the first evidence that lentiviral vectors are efficient tools for eliciting a humoral protective response against a pathogen. This broadens the applicability of lentiviral vectors as vaccination tools against pathogens like viruses of the Flaviviridae family, in which a neutralizing humoral response is one active arm of the immune system.

Consequently, a subject of the present invention is the use of a recombinant lentiviral vector comprising a polynucleotide fragment encoding at least one protein of a virus of the family Flaviviridae or an immunogenic peptide of at least 8 amino acids of said protein, for preparing an immunogenic composition intended for the prevention and/or the treatment of a Flaviviridae infection in a sensitive species.

Such a vector has a certain number of advantages and is particularly suitable for the needs disclosed above:

-   -   it has an increased immunogenic capacity; consequently, it is         effective after a single administration in the sensitive         species. The effectiveness of this vector is related at         once: (i) to its tropism for antigen-presenting cells, or APCs,         such as dendritic cells, in particular when it is injected         subcutaneously, (ii) to the stable integration, into the         cellular genome, of the sequences of interest carried by these         vectors, which allows long-lasting expression of the antigen in         vivo, in particular in dendritic cells, and (iii) to its ability         to stimulate the dendritic cell-dependent immune response. Thus,         the duration of expression of the antigen in the dendritic         cells, which is greater than that usually obtained with pulsed         dendritic cells, advantageously makes it possible to do away         with repeated administration of the vector,     -   it is non-replicative; consequently, it has little or no         pathogenic capacity in the sensitive species and no infectious         capacity, i.e. no risk of dissemination in the environment,     -   it is non-tumorigenic; it results in stable integration of the         sequence of interest in the genome of the host cell, without         causing any tumorigenic effect,     -   it exhibits no species restriction and has a broadened cellular         tropism, in particular due to the fact that it is possible to         produce pseudotypes with envelope proteins from other viruses,         such as the glycoproteins G of the vesicular stomatitis virus         (VSV), of viruses of the family Rhabdoviridae, for instance the         rabiesvirus, and of the ebola virus; consequently, it is         effective for preventive and/or curative immunization in any         sensitive species, and     -   it makes it possible to do away with the use of adjuvants.

DEFINITIONS

-   -   polynucleotide fragment: the term “poly-nucleotide fragment or         polynucleotide” is intended to mean a DNA or RNA fragment of at         least 24 bases or base pairs, preferably from 24 to 5000 bases         or base pairs, in particular a cDNA or cDNA fragment.     -   immunogenic fragment: a peptide fragment capable of inducing a         specific humoral and/or cellular response in a species sensitive         to infection with a Flaviviridae.     -   polynucleotide fragment encoding at least one protein of a         Flaviviridae or an immunogenic peptide of at least 8 amino acids         of said protein: a polynucleotide as defined above, encoding one         or more structural or non-structural proteins and/or one or more         immunogenic fragments of Flaviviridae. The open reading frame         (ORF) of the Flaviviridae polyprotein and the coding sequences         of the various Flaviviridae proteins which are included in said         ORF are known to those skilled in the art and accessible, either         in the databases, in particular that of the NCBI         (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov), or in reference works, for         instance Virus Taxonomy. Classification and nomenclature of         viruses. Sixth report of the International Committee on taxonomy         of viruses (F. A. Murphy et al., Archives of Virology Supplement         10, 1995, Springer Verlag, Vienna, New York). The invention         encompasses the coding sequences of any Flaviviridae and the         variants derived by mutation (insertion, deletion, substitution)         of one or more nucleotides of said coding sequence or by a shift         in the open reading frame of one or two nucleotides (ORF+1 and         ORF+2), provided that said mutations do not substantially modify         the antigenic and/or immunogenic properties of said protein or         of said fragment. The invention encompasses in particular the         variant polynucleotides derived from the above by mutation         (insertion, deletion, substitution) of nucleotides, provided         that the modified nucleotide fragments conserve, under high         stringency hybridization conditions, an ability to specifically         hybridize with the modified polynucleotides from which they         derive.     -   high stringency hybridization conditions: for the purpose of the         present invention, the expression “high stringency hybridization         conditions” is intended to mean conditions of temperature and of         ionic strength that are chosen such that they make it possible         to maintain the specific and selective hybridization between         complementary polynucleotides. By way of illustration, high         stringency conditions for the purposes of defining the         polynucleotides above are advantageously as follows: the DNA-DNA         or DNA-RNA hybridization is carried out in two steps: (1)         prehybridization at 42° C. for 3 hours in phosphate buffer (20         mM, pH 7.5) containing 5×SSC (1×SSC corresponds to a solution of         0.15 M NaCl+0.015 M sodium citrate), 50% of formamide, 7% of         sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), 10×Denhardt's, 5% of dextran         sulphate and 1% of salmon sperm DNA; (2) hybridization for 20         hours at 42° C., followed by 2 washes of 20 minutes at 20° C. in         2×SSC+2% SDS, 1 wash of 20 minutes at 20° C. in 0.1×SSC+0.1%         SDS. The final wash is carried out in 0.1×SSC+0.1% SDS for 30         minutes at 60° C.     -   sensitive species: the expression “species sensitive to         infection with a Flaviviridae” is intended to mean both a host         species capable of developing a pathology induced by a         Flaviviridae, such as a human or non-human mammal, and a         reservoir species responsible for propagation of the virus         without the development of symptoms, such as in particular a         bird or a reptile (crocodile).     -   recombinant lentiviral vector: the term “recombinant lentiviral         vector” is intended to mean both an isolated nucleic acid         molecule corresponding to the recombinant genome of a lentiviral         vector, in particular included in a plasmid (vector plasmid),         and a recombinant lentiviral particle (vector particle) that         includes said recombinant genome, produced in a suitable         cellular system, optionally pseudotyped with envelope proteins         from other viruses such as the glycoproteins G of, the vesicular         stomatitis virus (VSV), of the rabiesvirus and of the ebola         virus.

In accordance with the invention, said lenti-viral vector is selected from the group consisting of those derived from: HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), for example HIV-1 or HIV-2, CAEV (caprine arthritis encephalitis virus), EIAV (equine infectious anaemia virus), VMV (visna/maedi virus), SIV (simian immuno-deficiency virus) or FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus). The invention also encompasses the chimeric lentiviruses derived from at least two different lentiviruses. The choice of the lentiviral vector depends in particular on the sensitive species; for example, vectors derived from HIV are advantageously used for human immunization.

The lentiviral vectors are known to those skilled in the art; they consist of a recombinant nucleotide sequence (recombinant lentiviral genome) comprising: (i) a sequence of interest (coding sequence of Flaviviridae, in the case of the present invention) placed under the control of regulatory signals for transcription and for expression, and (ii) the regulatory sequences of lentiviral origin necessary and sufficient for encapsidation, reverse transcription and viral integration, and, optionally, regulatory sequences for the Rev protein (RRE or rev responsive element). Mention may in particular be made of lentiviral vectors derived from HIV, described by Poznansky et al. (J. Virol., 1991, 65, 532-536) and Naldini et al. (Science, 1996, 272, 263-267) or from FIV, described by Poeschla et al. (Nature Medicine, 1998, 4, 354-357), and also the minimal vectors derived from the above, as described in International Applications WO 99/32646 and WO 98/17815.

In accordance with the invention, said lenti-viral vectors are vectors capable of expressing the coding sequence(s) as defined above, in a suitable cellular system; said vector comprises an expression cassette that includes the suitable regulatory elements for transcription (promoter, enhancer, Kozak consensus sequence, polyadenylation signal, etc.) under the control of which are inserted the coding sequences as defined above; said coding sequences of interest comprise the signals required for cell transport, for instance a signal for translocation in the endoplasmic reticulum, derived in particular from the ORF preceding said coding sequence in the polyprotein of said Flaviviridae. For example, in the case of the Flaviviruses, when said coding sequence is that of the E protein or of a fragment of said protein, said signal sequence is advantageously derived from the M protein precursor (prM). Advantageously, said expression cassette comprises a strong ubiquitous promoter such as the cytomegalovirus (CMV) early promoter or an enhancer free promoter such as the elongation factor 1α (EF1α) or the phosphoglycerate (PGK) promoters.

In addition, said vector may also comprise a suicide gene such as herpes type 1 thymidine kinase (HSV 1-TK), so as to eliminate the transduced cells by treatment with the appropriate drug, for example acyclovir in the case of HSV 1-TK.

The invention encompasses simple expression vectors and multiple expression vectors that allow simultaneous expression of several coding sequences from the same promoter or from different promoters, said promoters being located in the same region or else in different regions of said expression vector.

According to an advantageous embodiment of said use, said recombinant lentiviral vector is of triplex type.

The vectors of triplex type are in particular described in Zennou et al., Cell, 2000, 101, 173-185 and in International Applications WO 99/55892, WO 01/27304 and WO 01/27300.

The triplex vectors are characterized in that they comprise a DNA region capable of forming a triplex (or DNA trimer) during viral reverse transcription. This triplex DNA region consists of a cis-active region for central initiation, or polypurine tract (cPPT), and a cis-active region for termination (CTS), said regions making it possible to initiate the transcription of a +strand whose synthesis is initiated by the PTT region present at the centre of the genome of the lentivirus, and to interrupt the transcription of a +strand whose synthesis is initiated at a 3′ PPT site upstream of the retroviral LTR. The presence of this triplex DNA region in the lentiviral vectors notably improves the transduction of genes in mitotic or non-mitotic cells, by stimulating the rate of nuclear import of the vector.

According to another advantageous embodiment of said use, said recombinant lentiviral vector comprises a 3′ LTR in which the promoter and the activator have been deleted from the U3 region; this deletion provides additional safety features.

According to another advantageous embodiment of said use, said recombinant lentiviral vector is pseudotyped with at least one envelope protein of another virus, preferably the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) glycoprotein G; the VSV glycoprotein G advantageously makes it possible to obtain high titres of vector particles and to produce vector particles having a broad cellular tropism, capable of transducing in particular antigen-presenting cells such as dendritic cells, in any vertebrate species: humans or animals including horses, fowl, and zoo animals at risk.

In accordance with the invention, said Flaviviridae is chosen from a Flavivirus, a Pestivirus or a Hepacivirus, as specified above.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of said use, said Flaviviridae is selected from the group consisting of the West Nile virus, dengue virus, yellow fever virus and hepatitis C virus.

In accordance with the invention, said polynucleotide, in particular a cDNA or a cDNA fragment of Flaviviridae encodes: (i) one or more different structural proteins (C, prM, M, E, E1, E2), and/or (ii) one or more different non-structural (NS) proteins, and/or (iii) one or more different immunogenic fragments of said proteins, said proteins or their fragments being derived either from the same Flaviviridae (monovalent vaccine) or from various Flaviviridae and/or from different serotypes or different types of the same Flaviviridae, for preparing polyvalent vaccines.

Said cDNA can also derive from a coding sequence of a Flaviviridae by a shift in the open reading frame of one or two nucleotides (ribosomal frameshifting). Such cDNAs are known to those skilled in the art, in particular for the C protein of the hepatitis C virus (Xu et al., EMBO, 2001, 20, 3840-3848; Roussel et al., J. Gen. Virol., 2003, 84, 1751-1759; Vassilaki et al., J. Biol. Chem., 2003, 278, 40503-40513; International Application WO 99/63941).

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of said use, said polynucleotide is a fragment of a coding sequence of Flaviviridae corresponding to the accession number in the NCBI database listed in Table 1:

TABLE 1 Coding sequences of Flaviviridae NCBI accession FLAVIVIRIDAE number Sequence description Flavivirus M23027 5′ cDNA sequence of the poly- protein of the dengue virus type 1 Flavivirus M19197 DNA equivalent of the genome of the dengue virus type 2 Flavivirus M93130 DNA equivalent of the genome of the dengue virus type 3 Flavivirus M14931 DNA equivalent of the genome of the dengue virus type 4 Flavivirus M12294 DNA equivalent of the genome of the West Nile virus Flavivirus AF481864 DNA equivalent of the genome of the IS-98-ST1 strain of the West Nile virus Flavivirus M18370 DNA equivalent of the genome of the Japanese encephalitis virus Flavivirus X03700 cDNA of the polyprotein of the yellow fever virus (vaccination strain 17D) Flavivirus U27495 DNA equivalent of the genome of the Neudoerfl virus of the tick-borne encephalitis virus complex (TBE complex) Flavivirus M73835 cDNA of the structural proteins of the Langat virus (TBE complex) Pestivirus M31182 DNA equivalent of the genome of the BVD virus Pestivirus M31768 DNA equivalent of the genome of the Brescia strain of the CSF virus (hog cholera virus) Pestivirus J04358 DNA equivalent of the genome of the Alfort strain of the CSF virus (hog cholera virus) Hepacivirus M62321 cDNA of the polyprotein of the hepatitis C virus type 1 (HCV-1) Hepacivirus D90208 cDNA of the polyprotein of the hepatitis C virus Hepacivirus M58335 Complete cDNA of the polyprotein of the hepatitis C virus

The positions of the coding sequences of the various Flaviviridae proteins are indicated in the sequences corresponding to the accession numbers listed in Table 1, which correspond to the cDNAs of the polyprotein or to the DNA equivalents of the Flaviviridae genome.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of said use, said polynucleotide fragment is selected from:

a) the cDNAs encoding an E protein and, optionally, a prM or M protein, and/or a C protein, and/or a non-structural protein of West Nile virus or of dengue virus, and the cDNAs encoding one or more immunogenic peptides of at least 8 amino acids of the above proteins,

b) the cDNAs encoding an E1 or E2 protein or an E1/E2 heterodimer, and/or a C protein according to a 0, +1 or +2 reading frame, and/or an NS3 protein of hepatitis C virus, and the cDNAs encoding one or more immunogenic peptides of at least 8 amino acids of the above proteins, and

c) the cDNAs encoding one or more different domains III (positions 295 to 394) of an E protein of dengue virus, each corresponding to one of the four types of dengue virus (types 1 to 4 or DEN-1 to DEN-4), preferably a cDNA encoding the four domains III (DEN-1 to DEN-4), the sequences of which are represented by SEQ ID NOs. 1-4 in the sequence listing attached in the appendix.

According to an advantageous provision of said use, said cDNA encoding a C protein according to a +1 or +2 reading frame is selected from the group consisting of the sequences SEQ ID NOs. 5 to 14.

In accordance with the invention, said membrane proteins (prM or M) and/or envelope proteins (E, E1, E2) are expressed by the recombinant lentiviral vector as defined above, either in membrane form, located in the plasma membrane, at the surface of the cells, or in secreted form, i.e. exported from the cell, to the extracellular medium.

In addition, when the Flavivirus prM and E proteins are expressed simultaneously in the cells transduced by the recombinant vector (in vitro or in vivo), they assemble as viral pseudoparticles (or virus-like particles, VLPs) that are secreted into the extracellular medium. Such particles are particularly immunogenic and induce the production of neutralizing antibodies.

The cDNA encoding said membrane form comprises the sequence encoding the mature protein, preceded by a sequence encoding a signal peptide for translocation in the endoplasmic reticulum, which sequence includes a translation initiation codon (ATG) at its 5′ end. In the case of the Flaviviruses, said signal sequence is advantageously derived from the M protein precursor (prM). The cDNA encoding said secreted form comprises the sequence encoding a truncated mature protein, from which the membrane anchoring region has been deleted and which is preceded by a signal peptide as defined above.

For example, in the case of the West Nile virus:

-   -   the mature E protein corresponds to positions 291 to 791 of the         polyprotein sequence, with reference to the Genbank sequence         AAL87234′; the corresponding nucleotide sequence is located from         positions 967 to 2469 in the sequence of the genome of the West         Nile virus, with reference to the Genbank sequence AF481864;     -   a truncated mature E protein from which the membrane anchoring         region has been deleted corresponds in particular to positions         291 to 732 of the sequence of the polyprotein of the West Nile         virus, with reference to the Genbank sequence AAL87234; the         corresponding nucleotide sequence is located from positions 967         to 2292 in the sequence of the genome of the West Nile virus,         with reference to the Genbank sequence AF481864;     -   the internal signal peptide derived from the M protein precursor         corresponds to positions 275 to 290 of the sequence of the         polyprotein, with reference to the Genbank sequence AAL87234;         the corresponding nucleotide sequence is located from positions         919 to 966 in the sequence of the genome of West Nile virus,         with reference to the Genbank sequence AF481864.

Thus, the cDNAs encoding the membrane form of the E protein, the secreted form of the E protein and the prM and E proteins of the West Nile virus correspond, respectively, to positions 919 to 2469, 919 to 2292 and 399 to 2469 in the sequence of the genome of said virus as defined above.

A subject of the present invention is also a recombinant lentiviral vector comprising a polynucleotide fragment encoding at least one structural protein of a Flaviviridae or an immunogenic peptide of at least 8 amino acids of said protein; in addition, as specified above in the context of the use of such vectors, said vector advantageously also comprises a cDNA encoding one or more non-structural proteins and/or one or more immunogenic fragments of said proteins. Said polynucleotide fragment is in particular selected from the sequences as defined above. Advantageously, said recombinant lentiviral vector is a vector of triplex type. In addition, said recombinant lentiviral vector can advantageously comprise a 3′ LTR in which the promoter and the activator has been deleted from the U3 region. It is preferably a vector that is pseudotyped with at least one envelope protein of another virus, preferably the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) glycoprotein G.

According to an advantageous embodiment of said vector, it comprises the cDNA encoding at least one E protein and, optionally, a prM or M protein, and/or a C protein, and/or a non-structural protein of West Nile virus or of dengue virus, or the cDNA encoding one or more immunogenic peptides of at least 8 amino acids of the above proteins.

According to another advantageous embodiment of said vector, it comprises the cDNA encoding an E1 or E2 protein or an E1/E2 heterodimer, and/or a C protein according to a 0, +1 or +2 reading frame and, optionally, an NS3 protein of hepatitis C virus, or the cDNA encoding one or more immunogenic peptides of at least 8 amino acids of the above proteins.

According to an advantageous provision of said vector, said cDNA encoding a C protein according to a +1 or +2 reading frame is selected from the group consisting of the sequences SEQ ID NOs. 5 to 14.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of said vector, it comprises the cDNA encoding a domain III (positions 295 to 394) or several different domains III of an E protein of dengue virus, each corresponding to one of the four types of dengue virus (types 1 to 4 or DEN-1 to DEN-4), preferably it comprises a cDNA encoding the four domains III (DEN-1 to DEN-4) the sequences of which are represented by SEQ ID NOs. 1-4 in the sequence listing attached in the appendix.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of said vector, it is a vector plasmid called pTRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV), comprising the cDNA encoding a secreted form of the E protein of the IS-98-ST1 strain of West Nile virus, which vector is included in a microorganism deposited under the No. I-3076, on 27 Aug. 2003, with the Collection Nationale de Cultures de Microorganismes [National Collection of Cultures of Microorganisms], 25 rue du Docteur Roux, 75724 Paris Cedex 15.

The invention encompasses the vector plasmids as defined above and the vector particles derived from the above vector particles, in particular the vector particles pseudotyped with at least one envelope protein of another virus, such as in particular the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) glycoprotein G.

The recombinant lentiviral vectors as defined above are prepared by conventional methods, that are known in themselves, and according to standard protocols such as those described in Current Protocols in Molecular Biology (Frederick M. AUSUBEL, 2000, Wiley and son Inc., Library of Congress, USA).

More precisely, the polynucleotide fragments can be obtained either by amplification of a matrix consisting of a genomic RNA or an mRNA of a Flaviviridae or else a cDNA or a DNA fragment derived from the above, by PCR or RT-PCR using primers specific for the genome of a virus of the family Flaviviridae, or by digestion of the Flaviviridae cDNA using a restriction enzyme, or alternatively by total or partial chemical synthesis.

The polynucleotide fragment thus obtained is cloned into a vector plasmid containing the lentiviral vector genome, so as to produce a recombinant vector plasmid.

The particles of the recombinant lentiviral vector (vector particles) are produced by cotransfection of cells with the recombinant vector plasmid as defined above, an encapsidation plasmid that provides, in trans, the structural proteins and the enzymes of the viral particle and, optionally, a plasmid for expression of the envelope glycoprotein of a virus such as VSV, for the production of pseudotyped particles.

A subject of the present invention is also an immunogenic composition, characterized in that it comprises at least one recombinant vector as defined above.

According to an advantageous embodiment of said composition, it comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle and, optionally, a carrier substance.

The pharmaceutically acceptable vehicles and the carrier substances are those conventionally used.

The carrier substances are advantageously selected from the group consisting of unilamellar liposomes, multilamellar liposomes, saponin micelles or solid microspheres of a saccharide or auriferous nature.

According to another advantageous embodiment of said composition, it comprises particles of said recombinant lentiviral vector (vector particles), preferably pseudotyped with an envelope protein of another virus, preferably with the vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein G.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of said composition, it comprises a recombinant lentiviral vector of triplex type as defined above.

According to an advantageous provision of said composition, it comprises an isolated nucleic acid molecule corresponding to the recombinant genome of said recombinant lentiviral vector of triplex type, which nucleic acid molecule comprises: (i) the regulatory sequences for encapsidation, reverse transcription and integration and the cis-active sequences for central initiation (or polypurine tract cPPT) and termination (CTS) of lentiviral origin and, optionally, the regulatory sequences for the Rev protein (RRE or Rev Responsive Element) and (ii) a polynucleotide fragment encoding a Flaviviridae protein or an immunogenic peptide of at least 8 amino acids of said protein as defined above.

In accordance with the invention, said vector of triplex type comprises an expression cassette that includes the suitable regulatory elements for transcription (promoter, enhancer, Kozak consensus sequence, polyadenylation signal, etc.) under the control of which are inserted the coding sequences as defined above, and said coding sequences of interest optionally comprise the signals required for cellular transport, as defined above.

The immunogenic or vaccine compositions according to the invention can be administered generally (orally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, intraperitonealy or intravenously), locally (nasally, other mucosal routes) or by a combination of these routes, in a sensitive species as defined above (human or non-human mammalian host, or reservoir (birds, reptiles)).

Preferably, they are administered subcutaneously in order to target antigen-presenting cells such as dendritic cells, so as to obtain prolonged expression of the antigen in these cells.

Alternatively, the immunogenic or vaccine compositions according to the invention are used to modify autologous cells of a host species, in particular antigen-presenting cells such as dendritic cells. The modified cells are then re-administered to the host; such a use is particularly advantageous for the treatment of an infection with a Flaviviridae in a human or non-human host mammal.

The dose of vector varies according to the route of administration, and also according to the nature and the weight of the species to be treated (human or animal).

A subject of the present invention is also cells modified with a recombinant vector as defined above. Preferably, said cells are eukaryotic cells that are stably modified with said recombinant vector; such cells that stably express at least one protein or one antigenic peptide of Flaviviridae are useful:

-   -   for producing particles of said recombinant lentiviral vector         (vector particles),

for producing recombinant viral proteins of Flaviviridae, immunogenic fragments of said proteins, and viral pseudoparticles of the type of those of Flaviviridae (VLPs or virus-like particles), derived from the envelope proteins and/or membrane proteins of Flaviviridae, in particular from the Flavivirus prM and E proteins; the pseudoparticles are advantageously used as a reagent for diagnosing a Flaviviridae infection by immunocapture of the specific immunoglobulins present in the biological fluids of infected individuals,

-   -   for screening antiviral compounds, and     -   as a diagnostic reagent.

In accordance with the invention, it is possible to produce viral proteins of Flaviviridae and/or immunogenic fragments of said proteins or else viral pseudoparticles, in accordance with the following steps:

a) culturing modified cells as defined above, under conditions which allow the expression of one or more viral proteins of Flaviviridae and/or one or more of the immunogenic fragments of said proteins encoded by said recombinant lentiviral vector, and

b) separating said proteins, protein fragments or pseudoparticles from the culture supernatant or from said cells in a), by any suitable means.

In accordance with this method, the purification of viral protein(s) or of fragment(s) can be carried out, from a culture supernatant, or from lysates of the cells modified with a recombinant vector as defined above, by conventional techniques such as:

-   -   affinity chromatography: a tag, such as a nucleotide sequence         encoding a polyhistidine tail is then introduced into the         vector, and the protein is purified on nickel-gel (agarose or         the like) columns;     -   immunoaffinity chromatography: the viral sequence of interest is         fused, at the C-terminal or at the N-terminal, with a nucleotide         sequence encoding a peptide epitope, also comprising a site for         cleavage by an enzyme, such as thrombin, in order to         subsequently separate the epitope sequence from the protein;         useful epitopes are, for example, the C9 epitope (TETSQVAPA)         (Mirzabekov T. et al., J. Biol. Chem., 1999, 274, 28745-28750)         or the myc epitope. The expressed protein is purified on an         affinity column to which an antibody specific for said epitope         has been attached (1D14 for the C9 epitope or 9^(E)10 for the         myc epitope) and the protein of interest is separated by means         of cleavage with thrombin;     -   precipitation with a precipitating agent such as polyethylene         glycol, and then centrifugation in order to recover the protein         in the pellet.

In accordance with this method, the purification of the particles of the type of those of Flaviviridae is carried out, from a culture supernatant from cells modified with a recombinant vector as defined above, by conventional techniques such as:

-   -   precipitation with a precipitating agent such as polyethylene         glycol, and then centrifugation in order to recover the         pseudoparticles in the pellet, and     -   continuous or discontinuous gradient centrifugation, in         particular on a sucrose gradient.

A subject of the present invention is also a method for screening antiviral compounds, characterized in that it comprises:

-   -   bringing eukaryotic cells modified with a recombinant vector as         defined above, and in particular with a vector comprising a cDNA         encoding a non-structural protein of Flaviviridae such as NS3         (helicase or protease) or NS5 (polymerase), into contact with         various compounds of a library to be tested, and     -   measuring, by any suitable means, the activity (helicase,         protease, polymerase) of said protein, in the presence or in the         absence of said compounds, and     -   selecting the compounds capable of modulating (activating or         inhibiting) said activity.

This activity is evaluated by conventional methods known to those skilled in the art, such as those described in particular in Borowski et al., Acta Biochimica Polonica, 2002, 49, 597-614; Steffens et al., J. Gen. Virol., 1999, 80, 2583-2590; Ryan et al., J. Gen. Virol., 1998, 79, 947-959; Bretner et al., Antivir. Chem. Chemother., 2004, 15, 35-42.

Preferably, the screenings are carried out on specific target tissues, and in particular on dendritic cells, neuronal cells or hepatocytes.

A subject of the present invention is also a method for diagnosing infection with a Flaviviridae, using a sample of biological fluid from an individual of a sensitive species, characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps:

a) bringing said biological sample into contact with modified eukaryotic cells expressing at least one Flaviviridae antigen (C, E, E1, E2, prM, M, NS (in particular NS1)) as defined above, optionally permeabilized,

b) revealing, by any suitable means, the antigen-antibody complexes formed in (a), for example by EIA, ELISA or RIA, or by immunofluorescence.

A subject of the present invention is also a method for diagnosing infection with a Flaviviridae using a sample of biological fluid from an individual of a sensitive species, characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps:

a) bringing said biological sample into contact with viral pseudoparticles produced from the culture supernatant of cells modified with a lentiviral vector expressing at least one membrane protein and/or envelope protein as defined above, and

b) revealing, by any suitable means, the antigen-antibody complexes formed in (a), for example by EIA, ELISA or RIA, or by immunofluorescence.

A subject of the present invention is also a kit for carrying out the methods as defined above, characterized in that it comprises at least modified cells as defined above.

A subject of the present invention is also a method of immunization against a Flaviviridae, characterized in that it comprises a single administration of a recombinant vector as defined above, preferably subcutaneously.

Besides the above provisions, the invention also comprises other provisions, which will emerge from the following description that refers to examples of preparation of the recombinant vector according to the present invention and of use of said vector for immunization, and derived modified cells for the production of proteins, and also to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of the vector plasmid pTRIPΔU3CMV-sE(WNV) corresponding to the sequence SEQ ID NO. 15, containing the cDNA (SEQ ID NO. 16) encoding the truncated E protein (E1-411) of the West Nile virus (SEQ ID NO. 17).

FIG. 2 illustrates the analysis by ELISA and by means of a neutralization assay, of the sera from mice immunized with a single intraperitoneal injection of 1 μg of TRIPΔU3CMV-sE(WNV) vector particles.

FIG. 3 represents the immunoprecipitation of the lysates of VERO cells infected with West Nile virus, with the sera from the mice immunized with 1 μg of TRIPΔU3CMV-sE(WNV) vector particles, by comparison with control sera.

Lanes 1 to 10: lysates of VERO cells infected with West Nile virus were precipitated with the following sera:

lane 1: serum at D14 post-immunization with the TRIPΔU3CMV-GFP vector,

lane 2: serum at D23 post-immunization with the TRIPΔU3CMV-GFP vector,

lane 3: polyclonal anti-West Nile virus (strain IS-98-ST1) ascites,

lane 4: non-immune serum,

lane 5: serum at D14 post-immunization with the TRIPΔU3CMV-sE(WNV) vector,

lane 6: serum at D23 post-immunization with the TRIPΔU3CMV-sE(WNV) vector,

lane 7: serum at D22 post-challenge (10 LD₅₀ of the IS-98-ST1 strain) from the mice immunized for 14 days with the TRIPΔU3CMV-sE(WNV) vector,

lane 8: serum at D30 post-challenge (10 LD₅₀ of the IS-98-ST1 strain) from the mice immunized for 14 days with the TRIPΔU3CMV-sE(WNV) vector,

lane 9: serum at D22 post-challenge (100 LD₅₀ of the IS-98-ST1 strain) from the mice immunized for 30 days with the TRIPΔU3CMV-sE(WNV) vector,

lane 10: serum from mice immunized with the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus.

Lanes 11 and 12: lysates of non-infected VERO cells were precipitated with the following sera:

lane 11: polyclonal anti-West Nile virus (IS-98-ST1 strain) ascites,

lane 12: serum at D22 post-challenge (100 LD₅₀ of the IS-98-ST1 strain) from the mice immunized for 30 days with the TRIPΔU3CMV-sE(WNV) vector.

FIG. 4 represents the survival curve for the mice immunized intraperitoneally and then challenged by the same route, either 2 weeks after immunization, with 10 LD₅₀ of the IS-98-ST1 strain (A), or 4 weeks after immunization, with 100 LD₅₀ of the IS-98-ST1 strain (B). •: control mice inoculated with DPBS. ▴: control mice immunized with 1 μg of TRIPΔU3CMV-EGFP vector particles. ▪: mice immunized with 1 μg of TRIPΔU3CMV-sE(WNV) vector particles.

FIG. 5 illustrates the purification of viral pseudoparticles from the supernatant of eukaryotic cells transduced with a recombinant lentiviral vector expressing the prM and E proteins of the West Nile virus.

FIG. 6 illustrates the detection of anti-WNV-sE antibodies in sera from TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE(WNV) vaccinated 129 mice. Radio-labeled cell lysates from WNV infected Vero cells were immunoprecipitated with pooled immune sera from lentiviral vector vaccinated 129 mice. (A) Pre-WNV challenge sera. (B) Post-challenge sera. HMAF=Hyperimmune Mouse Ascitic Fluid. Control sera=non immune sera. Antisera to MV=antisera to Measle Virus. TRIP/WNsE=TRIPΔU3.CMVsE(WNV). TRIP/GFP=TRIPΔU3.CMV-GFP.

FIG. 7 illustrates the analysis by flow cytometry of the effect of heat treatment on recombinant lentiviral vector transduction efficiency. 293T cells were incubated with TRIPΔU3.CMV-GFP vector particles which have been heat-inactivated for 10 min at 70° C. (heated TRIP/GFP), or not inactivated (TRIP/GFP). Non-infected 293T cells (Mock) were used as control. At 48 h, the GFP fluorescence intensity was measured; the percentage of GFP positive cells is indicated.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of the TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE(WNV) Recombinant Vector

1) Construction of the pTRIPΔU3.CMV-sE(WNV) Vector Plasmid

A cDNA representing the nucleotide sequence from positions 967 to 2292 of the genome of the IS-98-ST1 strain of the West Nile virus (application FR 01 04599 and Genbank AF481864), corresponding to the amino acids from positions 291 to 732 of the polyprotein (application FR 01 04599 and Genbank AAL87234), was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the sense primer: 5′-TATCGTACGATGAGAGTTGTGTTTGTCGTGCTA-3′ (SEQ ID NO. 18), containing the BsiW I site in the underlined form) and the antisense primer: 5′-ATAGCGCGCTTAGACAGCCCTTCCCAACTGA-3′ (SEQ ID NO. 19), containing the BssH II site in the underlined form. This cDNA, corresponding to the sequence SEQ ID NO. 16 in the sequence listing attached in the appendix, is bordered, in the 5′ position, by a BsiW I site and, in the 3′ position, by a BssH II site. The sequence SEQ ID. NO. 16 contains, successively from 5′ to 3′: an ATG, the sequence encoding the signal peptide derived from the M protein precursor (prM 151-166) and the sequence encoding a truncated E protein (E 1-441), from which the membrane anchoring region has been deleted. It encodes an E protein which is secreted into the extracellular medium (sE protein); the signal peptide derived from the prM protein is used for translocation of the E protein in the endoplasmic reticulum and for its transport, in secretion vesicles, to the plasma membrane, where it is released into the extracellular medium.

The lentiviral vector plasmid pTRIPΔU3.CMV-EGFP (application WO 01/27302) was digested so as to excise the EGFP gene, and then the linearized plasmid was ligated with a linker containing the BsiW I and BssH II sites, so as to give the plasmid called pTRIPΔU3.CMV-BsiW I-BssH II. The 1.4 kb BsiW I-BssH II fragment of the cDNA obtained above, that includes the sE protein construct, was cloned into the same sites of the plasmid pTRIPΔU3.CMV-BsiW I-BssH II, to give the recombinant lentiviral vector plasmid called pTRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) or pTRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) (FIG. 1 and SEQ ID NO. 15). A culture of E. coli bacteria transformed with the pTRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) vector plasmid was deposited, under the No. I-3076, on 27 Aug. 2003, with the Collection Nationale de Cultures de Microorganismes [National Collection of Cultures of Microorganisms], 25 rue du Docteur Roux, 75724 Paris Cedex 15.

The conformity of the pTRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) recombinant vector plasmid was verified by enzyme restriction and by sequencing of the insert corresponding to the sE protein construct.

The sequence of the 1.4 kb BsiW I-BssH II insert corresponds to the nucleotide sequence SEQ ID NO. 16 in the sequence listing attached in the appendix; it encodes a secreted E protein, called sE, corresponding to the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO. 17 in the sequence listing attached in the appendix.

2) Preparation of Viral Particles of the TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) Vector, Pseudotyped with the Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Envelope Glycoprotein (VSV-G)

Human fibroblastic 293T cells (ATCC) are grown in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (DMEM) Glutamax (GIBCO) supplemented with 10% Fetal Calf Serum (FCS). The viral particles of the TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) vector, pseudotyped with the vesicular stomatitis virus envelope glycoprotein (VSV-G), also called TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) vector particles, are produced by calcium phosphate cotransfection of the 293T cell line with the pTRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) vector plasmid as defined above, an encapsidation plasmid that provides, in trans, the structural proteins and the enzymes of the viral particle (pCMVΔR8.2: Naldini et al., Science, 1996, 272, 263-267; pCMVΔR8.91 or p8.7: Zufferey et al., Nat. Biotechnol., 1997, 15, 871-877) and a plasmid for expression of the VSV virus envelope glycoprotein (pHCMV-G: Yee et al., P.N.A.S., 1994, 91, 9564-9568), as described in Zennou et al., Cell., 2000, 101, 173-185).

3) Expression of the Secreted Version of the E Glycoprotein of WNV (WNV-sE) by the Recombinant TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) Vector

Expression of WNV-sE in lentiviral vector transduced 293T cells was examined by indirect immunofluorescence. Briefly, human 293T cells cultured on 8-chamber Glass-Labteks (NUNC) were transduced with TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) vector. After 48 h, cells were fixed with 3% paraformaldehyde (PFA) in PBS for 20 min and permeabilized with 0.1% Triton X-100 in PBS for 4 min. Cells were incubated with anti-WNV HMAF at a 1:100 dilution in PBS for 1 h. After blocking with 0.2% BSA in PBS, cells were further incubated with a Cy3-conjugated anti-mouse IgG antibody (AMERSHAM PHARMACIA) at a 1:500 dilution in PBS 0.2% BSA. Cell nuclei were visualized with DAPI. The slides were examined using a Zeiss Axioplan microscope with ApoTome system.

At 48 h post-transduction, a high fraction of cells were immunostained. Immunostaining pattern suggests that WNV-sE migrated through the secretory pathway.

4) Titration of the Recombinant TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) Vector 4.1) Material and Methods a) p24 Antigen Titration by ELISA

Quantification of p24 antigen content of concentrated vector particles was done with a commercial HIV-1 p24 ELISA kit (PERKIN ELMER LIFESCIENCES).

b) Quantitative PCR

Primers and probes were synthesized by PROLIGO. For detection of the U5-R sequences in the lentiviral vector, primers and probes used (Brussel A and Sonigo P, J. Virol., 2003, 77, 10119-10124), were as follows (SEQ ID NO: 20 to 27):

probes (3′fluorescein(PITC) or phosphorylated (P)) LTR-FL: 5′-CACAACAGACGGGCACACACTACTTGA-FITC-3′ LTR-LC: 5′-RED640-CACTCAAGGCAAGCTTTATTGAGGC-P-3′ primers AA55M: 5′-GCTAGAGATTTTCCACACTGACTAA-3′ M667: 5′-GGCTAACTAGGGAACCCACTG-3′. For detection of CD3, the sequences of primers and probes were as follows: probes CD3-P1: 5′-GGCTGAAGGTTAGGGATACCAATATTCCTGTCTC- FITC-3′, CD3-P2: 5′RED705-CTAGTGATGGGCTCTTCCCTTGAGCCCTTC- P-3′ primers CD3-in-F: 5′-GGCTATCATTCTTCTTCAAGGTA-3′ CD3-in-R: 5′-CCTCTCTTCAGCCATTTAAGTA-3′.

Genomic DNA from approximately 3.10⁶ lentiviral vector transduced 293T cells was isolated 48 h after transduction using QIAamp® DNA Blood Mini Kit (QIAGEN). For real-time PCR analysis, 5 μL of DNA were mixed with 15 μL of a PCR master mix consisting of 1× Jumpstart™ Taq ReadyMix™ (SIGMA), 1.9 mM MgCl₂, 1.5 μM of forward and reverse primers (AA55M/M667 or CD3-in-F/CD3-in-R), 200 nM of the probes (LTR-FL/LTR-LC or CD3-P1/CD3-P2) and, 1.5 units of Taq DNA Polymerase (Invitrogen). Amplifications were performed using one cycle of 95° C. for 3 min, and 40 cycles of 95° C. for 5 s, 55° C. for 15 s and 72° C. for 10 s. To take into account the possible plasmid contamination of vector stocks, DNA from 293T cells transduced with heat-inactivated (10 min at 70° C.) vector was always tested in parallel. For negative controls 5 μL of genomic DNA from untransduced cells was used. Each DNA sample was tested in duplicate and the mean values are reported. Ten-fold serial dilutions of known concentration of the plasmid pTripCD3, containing the relevant sequences U5-R and CD3, were amplified in parallel with DNA samples to generate a standard curve.

The total number of vector copies per cell was calculated by normalizing the number of U5-R copies to the number of 293T cells, as quantified by the copy number of CD3 molecules on the same genomic DNA sample, and then subtracting the number of copies obtained for the heat-inactivated vector-transduced cells.

4.2) Results

The number of physical particles of the vector stock used in this study was first evaluated using a commercially available ELISA assay against the p24 HIV-1 capsid protein. The determined concentration was 58 ng of p24 per microliter.

The vector stock actual titer was calculated on the basis of the transfer of vector DNA to the target cell, using a quantitative PCR assay. The quantification of both a vector specific sequence (U5) and a cellular locus (CD3) gives the average DNA vector copy number per cell. This allows the calculation, after transduction with a defined concentration of vector particles, of the titer of the vector preparation. The TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE vector stock used in this study was titrated in human 293T cells at 5.2×10⁷ transduction units (TU) per ml. In other words, 1 ng of p24 antigen from this TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE vector preparation can transduce 900 human 293T cells.

For simplicity reasons, in the following sections, the quantity of vector particles used will be expressed as ng of p24 antigen.

EXAMPLE 2 Analysis of the Immunogenic Capacity of the TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE Vector in BALB/c Mice 1) Materials and Methods 1.1) Immunization/Vaccination Protocol

Six-week-old BALB/c mice (2 groups of 6 mice; Janvier breeding colony) were inoculated intraperitoneally with 0.1 ml of Dulbecco's PBS (DPBS) containing 1 μg of TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE vector particles prepared as described in Example 1. The animals were given a single vaccine injection.

The control groups were inoculated, under the same conditions, either with 1 μg of TRIPΔU3.CMV-GFP vector particles prepared in a similar manner to the TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) vector particles (2 groups of 3 mice), or DPBS buffer alone (2 groups of 3 mice).

The mouse sera were taken 14 days (D₁₄) and 23 days (D₂₃) after the vaccine injection and heat-inactivated for 30 min at 56° C. before measurement of the antibody response.

1.2) West Nile Virus Strain, Purification and Titering

The West Nile virus strain used is the IS-98-ST1 strain, described in application FR 01 04599; it is produced on Aedes mosquito cells (AP61 line) and purified according to the protocol described by Desprès et al., Virol., 1993, 196, 209-219. More precisely, AP61 cells are infected, at a multiplicity of infection of 0.4, with the IS-98-ST1 strain of the West Nile virus. Three days after infection, the viral particles present in the culture supernatant are precipitated with PEG 6000 (7%), and then purified on a discontinuous 30-60% sucrose gradient and on a linear 10-50% sucrose gradient. The virions thus obtained are conserved at −80° C. in sucrose (30%).

The West Nile virus is titered by means of a Focus ImmunoAssay (FIA) on AP61 cells, and the infectious titre is expressed as focus-forming units (FFU_(AP61)/ml), according to the protocol described by Desprès et al., mentioned above.

The infectious titres of the purified viral preparations are approximately 10¹⁰ FFU_(AP61)/ml.

1.3) Anti-WNV Hyperimmune Ascitic Fluid

Anti-WNV hyperimmune mouse ascitic fluid (HMAF) was obtained by repeated immunization of adult mice with WNV strain IS-98-ST1, followed by the inoculation of sarcoma 180. Mouse polyclonal anti-WNV antibodies were obtained by immunization of adult WNV-resistant BALB/c-MBT congenic mice with 10³ FFU of IS-98-ST1 as described previously (Mashimo et al., PNAS, 2002, 99, 11311-11316). The WNV-immune serum was collected one month after priming.

1.4) ELISA

The anti-E total antibodies titres are measured by ELISA according to the protocol described in Mashimo et al., PNAS, 2002, 99, 11311-11316, using, as antigen, WN IS-98-ST1 virions purified on a sucrose gradient as described in paragraph 1.2 (10⁶ FFU_(AP61) per 96-well microplate). Peroxidase-conjugated anti-mouse immunoglobulin (H+ L) (JACKSON IMMUNO RESEARCH) at a 1:4000 dilution, peroxidase-conjugated anti-mouse IgM (μ-chain specific) (SIGMA) at a 1:20,000 or peroxidase-conjugated anti-mouse IgG (γ-chain specific) (Sigma) at a 1:20,000 dilution were used as secondary antibodies. The titres are determined by means of the final dilution of serum that corresponds to the optical density (OD) value which is at least twice that of the serum from the control animals, as defined above. The anti-E IgG and IgM antibodies are also measured using an already described isotype specific ELISA (Despres P et. al., J. Infect. Dis., 2005, 191, 207-214).

1.5) Immunoprecipitation (RIP Assay)

The experimental protocol is as described in Desprès et al. (J. Virol., 1995, 69, 7345-7348). More precisely, VERO cells are infected with the IS-98-ST1 strain of the West Nile virus, at the multiplicity of infection of 5 FFU_(AP61)/cell. Twenty hours after infection, the cell proteins are labelled with Tran³⁵Slabel (ICN; 100 μCi/ml) for 3 hours. After three washes with cold PBS, cells are lysed in RIPA buffer (50 mM Tris-Cl, pH 8.0, 150 mM NaCl, 10 mM EDTA, 0.1% SDS, 0.5% sodium deoxycholate, 1% Triton X-100, supplemented with 25 μg/ml aprotinin (SIGMA) for 10 min at +4° C. The cell lysates are then clarified by centrifugation at 10,000 rpm for 5 min at +4° C. The lysates are incubated with the sera to be tested at the final dilution of 1:100, in the presence of Protein A Sepharose. The immunoprecipitates are then analysed in an SDS-15% PAGE gel, under non-reducing conditions, and revealed by autoradiography.

1.6) Neutralization Test

The neutralizing activity of the sera from the immunized mice, with respect to the IS-98-ST1 strain of the West Nile virus, was measured by the reduction in viral replication foci on VERO cells (ATCC). More precisely, serial dilutions of the sera inactivated for 30 minutes at 56° C. (0.1 ml) are incubated in the presence of an inoculum of the IS-98-ST1 strain of the West Nile virus (100 FFU_(AP61) in 0.1 ml). VERO cells (1.5×10⁵ cells per well of a 12-well plate) are then infected with the mixture for two hours at 37° C., and the viral replication foci are counted two days after infection. The neutralizing antibody titre of the sera, called TNRF90 (Test for Neutralization by 90% Reduction in viral replication Foci), is determined by virtue of the final dilution of the serum that neutralizes at least 90 of the 100 FFUs of viruses inoculated in each well.

2) Results

2.1) Analysis by ELISA of the Reactivity of the Sera from the Immunized Animals, with Respect to West Nile Virus

The production of antibodies directed against the E protein of West Nile virus was verified by ELISA assay carried out of the mouse sera taken 14 and 23 days after the injection of TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) vector particles, using purified West Nile virus as antigen.

The results given in FIG. 2 show that the specific antibody titre of the sera from the mice immunized with the TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) vector particles is 1/10 000 and 1/20 000, respectively, 14 days and 23 days after the vaccine injection.

2.2) Analysis by Immunoprecipitation of the Specificity of the Sera from the Immunized Animals

The specificity of the sera from the animals immunized with the TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE vector was verified by immunoprecipitation. The sera from the mice immunized with the TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE vector react with the envelope protein E of West Nile virus; the reactivity is stronger at D₂₃ than at D₁₄ after the vaccine injection (FIG. 3).

2.3) Analysis of the Neutralizing Activity of the Sera from the Immunized Animals, with Respect to West Nile Virus

The neutralizing activity of the sera from the mice immunized with a single injection of TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) vector particles, with respect to West Nile virus, was verified experimentally by measuring the reduction in viral replication foci (TNRF90) on VERO cells. The titres at D₁₄ and D₂₃ after vaccine injection are, respectively, 10 and 20 (FIG. 2).

EXAMPLE 3 Analysis of the Protective Capacity of the TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) Vector in BALB/c Mice

The protective role of the anti-E protein, antibodies produced after immunization of mice with TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) vector particles was tested in the murine model of WNV-associated encephalitis (Deubel et al., Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 2001, 951, 195-206; Mashimo et al., 2002, precited; International Application WO 02/081511; Ceccaldi et al., FEMS Microbiol. Lett., 2004, 233, 1-6). Thus, mice were challenged by intraperitoneal inoculation of 10 LD₅₀ (dose that is lethal in 50% of the mice) or 100 LD₅₀ of the highly neuroinvasive and neurovirulent IS-98-ST1 strain of West Nile virus.

More precisely, two challenge protocols were used: (i) the first group of 6 mice immunized as described in Example 2 received 10 LD₅₀ of the IS-98-ST1 strain, 15 days after the vaccine injection (D15); (ii) the second group of 6 mice immunized as described in Example 2 received 100 LD₅₀ of the IS-98-ST1 strain, 30 days after the vaccine injection (D30). The challenge virus is diluted in DPBS (pH 7.5), supplemented with 0.2% of bovine serum albumin (Sigma); 1 LD₅₀ corresponds to 10 FFU_(AP61)/ml.

The survival curve for the first group of mice (FIG. 4A) shows that all the control mice, inoculated with DPBS or with the TRIPΔU3.CMV-EGFP vector, die 13 days after the inoculation of the viral challenge dose.

On the other hand, the 6 mice immunized with the TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) vector are resistant to the lethal dose and showed no morbidity.

Twenty-two days after the challenge, the resistant mice have anti-West Nile virus antibody titres (1.7±0.1, dilution 1:10⁴), by ELISA, that are greater than those obtained before the challenge. The sera from the challenged mice react strongly with the E protein of West Nile virus (FIG. 3) and the neutralizing antibodies have a titre of 100, 1 month after the challenge.

The survival curve for the second group of mice (FIG. 4B) shows that all the control mice, inoculated with DPBS or with the TRIPΔU3.CMV-EGFPs vector (DPBS), die within 9 days following the inoculation of the viral challenge dose. On the other hand, the 6 mice immunized with the TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) vector are resistant to the lethal dose and show no morbidity. As in the first group of mice, the sera from the challenged mice react strongly with the E protein of West Nile virus (FIG. 3) and the neutralizing antibodies have a titre of 100, 1 month after the challenge.

In addition, the absence of reactivity of the antibodies from challenged mice, with respect to the non-structural proteins of West Nile virus (FIG. 3), suggest that the protective immunity induced by the TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) vector is sufficient to prevent infection with the challenge virus.

The results show that a single injection of a small amount of TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) vector particles in adult mice induces, after two weeks of immunization, the production of neutralizing antibodies and confers protective immunity against a lethal challenge with West Nile virus inoculated peripherally.

EXAMPLE 4 Preparation of Viral Pseudoparticles Using the TRIPΔU3.CMV-prM-E (WNV) Recombinant Vector 1) Preparation of the TRIPΔU3.CMV-prM-E (WNV) Vector

A recombinant HIV vector of triplex type, comprising a cDNA encoding the prM and E proteins of the IS-98-ST1 strain of West Nile virus, corresponding to positions 399 to 2469 of the sequence of the genome (application FR 01 04599 and Genbank AF481864), was constructed as described in Example 1. Stable lines transduced with the TRIPΔU3.CMV-prM-E (WNV) recombinant vector were obtained as described in Example 1.

2) Preparation of Viral Pseudoparticles or VLPs

The culture supernatant of the cells transduced with the TRIPΔU3.CMV-prM-E (WNV) vector is harvested, and precipitated with PEG 6000 (Fluka, 0.7% W/V) 4 to 5 hours at 4° C., with gentle agitation. The precipitate obtained is centrifuged for 30 minutes at 9000 rpm at 4° C., and the pellet containing the VLPs is taken up in 4 ml of TNE (20 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8.0; 150 mM NaCl; 2 mM EDTA) and deposited onto a discontinuous sucrose gradient (20%-60% sucrose in 1×TNE). The gradient is centrifuged at 39 000 rpm for 2 h, and the opalescent band at the 20-60% interface is harvested, deposited on a linear gradient (11-55% sucrose in 1×TNE) and centrifuged at 35 000 rpm for 16 h. The gradient fractions are collected (11 fractions of 0.5 ml) and then analyzed by ELISA using an anti-WNV immune serum (1:20), by SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis and Coomassie blue staining, and by Western blotting using an anti-WNV immune serum. The results of the ELISA, given in FIG. 5, indicate the presence of purified VLPs in fractions 6 to 10 of the gradient.

EXAMPLE 5 Analysis of the Immunogenic and Protective Capacity of the TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE Vector in 129 Mice 1) Materials and Methods 1.1) Immunization/Vaccination Protocol

Six to eight week old 129 mice (six groups of six mice) were intraperitoneally (i.p.) inoculated with varying doses of TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) vector particles prepared as described in Example 1, diluted in 0.1 ml Dulbecco's PBS (DPBS; pH 7.5) supplemented with 0.2% bovine serum albumin (BSA).

The animals were given a single vaccine injection.

The control groups were inoculated, under the same conditions, with 500 ng p24 antigen equivalent of TRIPΔU3.CMV-GFP vector particles prepared in a similar manner to the TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) vector particles (one group of six mice), or DPBS buffer alone (one group of six mice).

Mice were bled periorbitally at 6, 13, 20 or 27 days post-immunization (D₆, D₁₃, D₂₀, D₂₇) and pooled sera were heat-inactivated for 30 min at 56° C. before measurement of anti-WNV total antibodies, IgG and IgM, and in vitro neutralizing activity, as described in example 2.

WNV challenge was performed by i.p. inoculation of neurovirulent WNV strain IS-98-ST1, prepared as described in example 2. Animals were subsequently challenged i.p. with 1.000 LD₅₀ (i.p. LD₅₀=10 FFU) of WNV strain IS-98-ST1 at 7 or 14 days post immunization. The challenged mice were monitored daily for signs of morbidity or mortality, for up to 21 days.

1.2) Flow Cytometry Assay

293T cells cultured on 25 cm2 flasks were transduced with TRIPΔU3.CMV-GFP vector particles which have been, either heat-inactivated for 0.10 min at 70° C., or untreated (positive control). At 48 h, cells were detached, washed and fixed with 2% PFA. The GFP fluorescence intensity was measured by FACSscan and analyzed with CellQuest software.

2) Results

In order to take into account inter-individual immune response variability, 129 mice which are less congenic than BALB/c were selected for assessing the humoral immune response induced by the lentiviral vector expressing WNV-sE.

2.1) Strong Antibody Responses Following Intraperitoneal Injection of TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE Vector Particles.

In 129 adult mice immunized with a single dose of TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) vector particles equivalent to 500 ng of p24 antigen, total antibodies against WNV were detectable as early as 6 days post immunization, although present at low concentration. By comparison, no anti-WNV antibodies were detected in sera of TRIPΔU3.CMV-GFP immunized mice. As expected at this time point, the humoral response corresponded to IgM and not IgG antibodies. Total antibody responses increased 10-fold to reach a plateau at day 13, and were then maintained over time. At these later time points (day 13, 20, 27), IgM antibody disappeared, to be replaced by IgG (Table 2).

TABLE 2 Antibody response of mice to inoculation with TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) Immunizing vector^(a), WNV WNV IgM WNV IgG day of antibody antibody antibody Anti-WNV bleeding titer^(b) titer^(b) titer^(b) FRNT90^(c) TRIPΔU3.CMV- GFP Day 27   <100 <100 <100 <10 TRIPΔU3.CMV- sE (WNV) Day 06  3 000 300 <100 10 Day 13 30 000 <100 1 000 10 Day 20 30 000 <100 1 000 10 Day 27 30 000 <100 1 000 20 ^(a)Groups of adult 129 mice were inoculated i.p. with a quantity of lentiviral vector particles corresponding to 500 ng of p24 antigen ^(b)Determined by ELISA on pooled heat-inactivated sera ^(c)FRNT: Focus Reduction Neutralization Test: the highest serum dilution that reduced the number of FFU of WNV by least 90%.

These antibodies were reactive with WNV E-glycoprotein from IS-98-ST1 infected Vero cell lysates as demonstrated by RIP assay (FIG. 6A). A focus reduction neutralization test (FRNT) showed that sera from TRIPΔU3′.CMV-sE (WNV) immunized mice contained detectable levels of WNV neutralizing antibodies as early as 6-days post-immunization (Table 2). Together these data show that an early and specific anti-WNV antibody immune response is mounted in mice immunized with TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) vector particles.

2.2) Early Protection Conferred to Mice by TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) Vaccination Against a High-Dose WNV Challenge.

Mice immunized with a single dose of TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) vector particles equivalent to 500 ng of p24 antigen were fully protected against a high viral challenge as early as 7 days post-immunization, since no morbidity or mortality were observed in this group (Table 3).

TABLE 3 Rapid protection by TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV)against WNV infection Immunizing Protection^(b) Post-challenge vector^(a), (n^(o) of surviving/n^(o) WNV antibody day of challenge of infected) titer^(c) DPBS Day 7 0/2 ND Day 14 0/2 ND TRIPΔU3.CMV-GFP Day 7 0/2 ND Day 14 0/2 ND TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) Day 7 6/6 200 000 Day 14 6/6 300 000 ^(a)Groups of adult 129 mice were inoculated i.p. with a single dose of lentiviral vector particles corresponding to 500 ng of p24 antigen or with DPBS. ^(b)At day of challenge, mice were inoculated i.p. with 1,000 i.p. LD50 of WNV strain IS-98-ST1. Survivals were recorded for 21 days. ^(c)Determined by ELISA on pooled heat-inactivated sera. ND: not determined

The infectious virus dose used in the viral challenge was selected to correspond to the maximal viral inoculum that can be transmitted by a mosquito bite. This dose is estimated to correspond to 10,000 in vitro FFU (Despres et al., J. Infect. Dis., 2005, 191, 207-214; Mashimo et al., 2002, precited), itself corresponding to 1000 in vivo-LD₅₀ by the intraperitoneal route.

All mice immunized with the control vector TRIPΔU3.CMV-GFP or with DPBS died within 11 days of challenge (Table 3). Interestingly, total antibodies against WNV increased by a factor of ten after challenge, suggesting that an effective secondary response was mounted in TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) immunized mice (Table 3). Equivalent results were obtained in BALB/c mice. These results indicate that TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) vaccination confers a very quick, fully protective immune response against a high WNV challenge. This could be of major importance in the context of an outbreak where protection of sensitive species is an emergency.

2.3) The Immunity Conferred by the Lentiviral Vector Vaccine is Sterilizing.

To address whether or not WNV primo-infection can take place in vaccinated animals upon challenge, in other words, whether the elicited immune response confers sterilizing protective immunity, RIP assays were performed on pooled sera from immunized mice, collected before and at 21 days after WNV challenge. Sera obtained at day 13, 20 and 27 post-immunization with a single dose of TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) vector particles equivalent to 500 ng of p24 antigen, reacted with the E protein of WNV. However, sera obtained from day 6 post-immunization did not react with this protein (FIG. 6A). Since RIP assays are not capable of detecting IgM, this is consistent with the ELISA results that show that at 6 days p.i. only IgM and not IgG antibodies against WNV are present. Sera from TRIPΔU3.CMV-GFP immunized mice did not react with WNV E protein.

Interestingly, no antibodies against any viral protein other than WNV E were detected in post-challenge sera from TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) vaccinated mice (FIG. 6B). This absence of antibodies against WNV non-structural proteins, strongly suggests that no viral replication took place in all TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) vaccinated mice. Thus, TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) vaccination confers full sterilizing immunity to mice.

This could represent an important advantage if the vaccine were to be used for bird-immunization. Indeed, while horses, humans and other mammals are believed to be dead-end hosts of WNV infection, birds are known to be amplifying hosts and participate in the maintenance of an epidemic (Dauphin et al., Comp. Immunol. Microbiol. Infect. Dis., 2004, 27, 343-355).

2.4) Protection Provided by a Single Immunization of TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) is Long Lasting.

In order to determine whether a single immunization with the TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) lentiviral vector based vaccine has the potential to elicit long-term protective immunity against WNV, pooled sera from the 129 immunized mice were tested by ELISA and FRNT, three months after the injection of the TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) vaccine.

Antibody levels in mice immunized with a single dose of TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) vector particles equivalent to 500 ng of p24 antigen, were still remarkably high 3 months post injection (1:30,000), and neutralizing antibodies persisted (Table 4).

TABLE 4 Long-term protection by TRIP/sE_(WNV) against WNV infection WNV Anti- Protection^(d) WNV Anti- antibody WNV n^(o) of antibody WNV Immu- titer^(b) FRNT90^(c) surviving/ titer^(b) FRNT90^(c) nizing (pre- (pre- n^(o) of (post- (post- vector^(a) challenge) challenge) infected challenge) challenge) TRIPΔU3.  <100 <10 0/3 ND ND CMV- GFP TRIPΔU3. 30 000 20 13/13 500 000 400 CMV-sE (WNV) ^(a)ng to 500 ng of p24 antigen. ^(b)Determined by ELISA on pooled heat-inactivated sera. ^(c)FRNT: Focus Reduction Neutralization Test:: the highest serum dilution that reduced the number of FFU of WNV by least 90%. ^(d)Mice were inoculated i.p. with 1000 LD₅₀ of WNV strain IS-98-ST1, three months post immunization. Survival was recorded for 21 days.

Neither morbidity nor mortality was observed in mice immunized with TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) and subsequently challenged i.p. with a 1000 LD₅₀ dose of IS-98-ST1 WNV, whereas all control mice died (Table 4). Total antibody titers as well as neutralizing antibodies increased after challenge, suggesting that an effective secondary response was mounted in mice immunized with a TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) three month earlier (Table 4). This shows that a single immunization with the WNV-sE coding lentiviral vector is enough to provide for a long lasting protective immunity in mice.

2.5) A Single Minute Dose of TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) is Enough to Confer Full and Rapid Protection.

To calculate the minimal dose of vector required to achieve full protective immunity, several groups of 129 mice were immunized i.p. with decreasing doses of TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) or a 500 ng dose of TRIPΔU3.CMV-GFP vector particles as a control. Seven days later, all mice were challenged with 1000 LD₅₀ IS-98-ST1. As expected, all mice that received the control vector died within 11-13 days of challenge. Results showed that the minimal dose of TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) required for full protection of mice was a vector particle quantity equivalent to 50 ng of p24 antigen (Table 5).

TABLE 5 Dose-dependent protection by TRIP/sE_(WNV) against WNV infection Protection^(b) Post-challenge Immunizing vector^(a), n^(o) of surviving/n^(o) WNV antibody dose (ng of p24) of infected titer^(c) TRIPΔU3.CMV-GFP 500 0/6 ND Heat-inactivated TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV)^(d)  50 0/6 ND TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) 500 6/6 200 000 150 6/6 300 000  50 12/12 300 000  15 5/6 300 000  5 2/5 200 000    1.5 11/12 ND ^(a)Groups of adult 129 mice were inoculated i.p. with a single dose of lentiviral vector particles. ^(b)Mice were inoculated i.p. with 1,000 i.p. LD50 of WNV strain IS-98-ST1 one week after priming. Survival was recorded for 21 days. ^(c)Determined by ELISA on pooled heat-inactivated sera. ^(d)Lentiviral vector particles were heat-inactivated for 10 min at 70° C.

Lower doses conferred only partial protection thus allowing to calculate the 50% protective dose to be the vector particle equivalent of 6.2 ng of p24 antigen. Of note, these dose-protection experiments were performed in the most stringent challenge conditions, with an early challenge at day 7 post-vaccination and with a high virus challenge inoculum (1000 LD₅₀). Owing that total antibody concentrations increases by a ten-fold factor between day 7 and 15, it is probable that the 50% protective dose would have been even lower than 6.2 ng if calculated only one week later. Immune sera from mice that received the vector particle equivalent of 50 ng of p24 of TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) had no detectable anti-WNV antibodies. Given that such low amount of TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE confers full protection one week after priming, one might predict that the lentiviral vector based vaccine must generate signals that initiate innate immunity to WNV.

Furthermore, it is important to note that the dose required for full protective immunity could have been sub-evaluated due to the model used. Indeed, it has been shown that mice cells have a lower permissivity to lentiviral vector transduction than other mammal cells, including human cells (Giannini et al., Hepatology, 2003, 38, 114-122; Nguyen et al., Mol. Ther., 2002, 6, 199-209). Avian cells show a better permissivity to transduction than murine cells allowing to predict that minute lentiviral vector vaccine doses would be effective in fowl.

In order to make sure that the protection obtained was specifically due to the actual vector-mediated expression of the WNV-sE antigen and not to residual WNV-sE protein or vector plasmid DNA contaminating the vector stock. Thus, mice were immunized with heat-inactivated (10 min at 70° C.) TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) vector particles, a treatment that abrogates transduction (FIG. 7). After WNV challenge, all mice injected with the heat-inactivated TRIPΔU3.CMV-sE (WNV) died (Table 5). It is therefore unlikely that free naked DNA plays a role in protection.

In addition, by virtue of the ubiquitous tropism of the VSV-G envelope used for pseudotyping the vector particles the lentiviral vector vaccine can theoretically be used, with no modification, in any vertebrate species, including humans and animals like horses, fowl, and zoo mammals at risk.

These results demonstrate that a minute dose of vector particles is enough to achieve quick and fully protective immunity in mice. This makes this candidate vaccine interestingly cost-effective, and allows the set up of protocols for mass vaccination (for instance via aerosols), in poultry stock or horse breeding farms. 

1. Use of a recombinant lentiviral vector comprising a polynucleotide fragment encoding at least one protein of a virus of the family Flaviviridae or an immunogenic peptide of at least 8 amino acids of said protein, for preparing an immunogenic composition intended for the prevention and/or the treatment of a Flaviviridae infection in a sensitive species.
 2. Use according to claim 1, characterized in that said recombinant lentiviral vector is of triplex type.
 3. Use according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that said recombinant lentiviral vector comprises a 3′ LTR in which the promoter and the activator have been deleted from the U3 region.
 4. Use according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said recombinant lentiviral vector is pseudotyped with at least one envelope protein of another virus.
 5. Use according to claim 4, characterized in that said envelope protein is the vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein G.
 6. Use according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said polynucleotide fragment encodes at least one structural protein of a Flaviviridae or an immunogenic peptide of at least 8 amino acids of said protein.
 7. Use according to claim 6, characterized in that said structural protein is a membrane protein or an envelope protein.
 8. Use according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said polynucleotide fragment encodes at least one non-structural protein of Flaviviridae or an immunogenic peptide of at least 8 amino acids of said protein.
 9. Use according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said polynucleotide fragment encodes both at least one structural protein of a Flaviviridae or an immunogenic peptide of at least 8 amino acids of said protein, and at least one non-structural protein or a fragment of at least 8 amino acids of said non-structural protein of the same Flaviviridae.
 10. Use according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said immunogenic peptide consists of the combination of immunogenic fragments of various Flaviviridae and/or of different serotypes of the same Flaviviridae.
 11. Use according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said Flaviviridae is selected from the group consisting of West Nile virus, dengue virus, yellow fever virus and hepatitis C virus.
 12. Use according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that said polynucleotide fragment is selected from the group consisting of: the cDNAs encoding an E protein and, optionally, a prM or M protein, and/or a C protein, and/or a non-structural protein of West Nile virus or of dengue virus, and the cDNAs encoding one or more immunogenic peptides of at least 8 amino acids of the above proteins, the cDNAs encoding an E1 or E2 protein or an E1/E2 heterodimer, and/or a C protein according to a 0, +1 or +2 reading frame, and/or an NS3 protein of hepatitis C virus, and the cDNAs encoding one or more immunogenic peptides of at least 8 amino acids of the above proteins, the cDNAs encoding one or more different domains III (positions 295 to 394) of an E protein of dengue virus, each corresponding to one of the four types of dengue virus.
 13. Use according to claim 12, characterized in that said cDNA encodes the four domains III, the sequences of which are represented by SEQ ID NOs. 1-4 in the sequence listing attached in the appendix.
 14. Use according to claim 12, characterized in that said cDNA encoding a C protein according to a +1 or +2 reading frame is selected from the group consisting of the sequences SEQ ID NOs. 5 to
 14. 15. Use according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that said polynucleotide is a fragment of a coding sequence of a Flaviviridae corresponding to an accession number in the NCBI database selected from the group consisting of: M23027, M19197, M93130, M14931, M12294, AF481864, M18370, X03700, U27495, M73835, M31182, M31768, J04358; M62321, D90208 and M58335.
 16. Recombinant lentiviral vector as defined in any one of claims 1 to 6 and 8 to 15, this vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding at least one structural protein or a fragment of said protein and, optionally, a non-structural protein or a fragment of said protein, as defined in claim
 6. 17. Recombinant vector according to claim 16, characterized in that it is of triplex type.
 18. Recombinant lentiviral vector according to claim 16 or claim 17, characterized in that it comprises a cDNA selected from the group consisting of: a cDNA encoding at least one E protein and, optionally, a prM or M protein, and/or a C protein, and/or a non-structural protein of West Nile virus or of dengue virus, and a cDNA encoding one or more immunogenic peptides of at least 8 amino acids of the above proteins, a cDNA encoding an E1 or E2 protein or an E1/E2 heterodimer, and/or a C protein according to a 0, +1 or +2 reading frame and, optionally, an NS3 protein of hepatitis C virus, and a cDNA encoding one or more immunogenic peptides of at least 8 amino acids of the above proteins, and a cDNA encoding a domain III (positions 295 to 394) or several different domains III of an E protein of dengue virus, each corresponding to one of the four types of dengue virus.
 19. Recombinant lentiviral vector according to claim 18, characterized in that said cDNA encoding a C protein according to a +1 or +2 reading frame is selected from the group consisting of the sequences SEQ ID NOs. 5 to
 14. 20. Recombinant lentiviral vector according to claim 18, characterized in that said cDNA encodes the four domains III the sequences of which are represented by SEQ ID NOs. 1-4.
 21. Recombinant lentiviral vector according to claim 18, characterized in that it comprises the cDNA encoding an E protein and a prM protein of a dengue virus or of West Nile virus.
 22. Recombinant lentiviral vector according to claim 18, characterized in that it comprises the cDNA encoding a secreted form of the E protein of the IS-98-ST1 strain of West Nile virus, which vector is included in a microorganism deposited under the No. I-3076, on 27 Aug. 2003, with the Collection Nationale de Cultures de Microorganismes [National Collection of Cultures of Microorganisms], 25 rue du Docteur Roux, 757244 Paris Cedex
 15. 23. Recombinant lentiviral vector according to any one of claims 16 to 22, characterized in that said polynucleotide fragment is placed under the control of the CMV promoter.
 24. Immunogenic composition, characterized in that it comprises at least one recombinant lentiviral vector as defined in claims 1 to
 23. 25. Composition according to claim 24, characterized in that it comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle and, optionally, a carrier substance.
 26. Composition according to claim 24 or claim 25, characterized in that said recombinant lentiviral vector is of triplex type.
 27. Composition according to any one of claims 24 to 26, characterized in that it comprises viral particles of said recombinant lentiviral vector, pseudotyped with an envelope protein of another virus.
 28. Composition according to claim 27, characterized in that said envelope protein is the vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein G.
 29. Composition according to claim 26, characterized in that it comprises an isolated nucleic acid molecule corresponding to the recombinant genome of said lentiviral vector of triplex type, which nucleic acid molecule comprises: (i) the regulatory sequences for encapsidation, reverse transcription and integration and the cis-active sequences for central initiation and termination of lentiviral origin and, optionally, the regulatory sequences for the Rev protein and (ii) a polynucleotide fragment encoding a Flaviviridae protein or an immunogenic peptide of at least 8 amino acids of said protein as defined above in any one of claims 1 and 6 to
 15. 30. Cells, preferably eukaryotic cells, modified with a recombinant lentiviral vector as defined in claims 1 to
 23. 31. Method for producing viral proteins of Flaviviridae and/or immunogenic fragments of said proteins or else viral pseudoparticles, characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps: a) culturing modified cells according to claim 30, under conditions which allow the expression of one or more viral proteins of Flaviviridae and/or of one or more of the immunogenic fragments of said proteins encoded by said recombinant lentiviral vector, and b) separating said proteins, protein fragments or viral pseudoparticles from the culture supernatant or from the cells in a).
 32. Method for screening antiviral compounds, characterized in that it comprises: bringing modified eukaryotic cells according to claim 30, in particular eukaryotic cells modified with a vector comprising a cDNA encoding a non-structural protein of Flaviviridae such as NS3 or NS5, into contact with various compounds of a library to be tested, measuring the activity of said protein, in the presence or in the absence of said compounds, and selecting the compounds capable of modulating said activity.
 33. Method according to claim 32, characterized in that the eukaryotic cells are selected from the group consisting of dendritic cells, neuronal cells and hepatocytes.
 34. Method for diagnosing infection with a Flaviviridae, using a sample of biological fluid from an individual of a sensitive species, characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps: a) bringing said biological sample into contact with modified eukaryotic cells expressing at least one Flaviviridae antigen, as defined in claim 30, and b) revealing the antigen-antibody complexes formed in (a).
 35. Method according to claim 34, characterized in that said modified eukaryotic cells in a) are permeabilized.
 36. Method for diagnosing an infection with a Flaviviridae, using a sample of biological fluid from an individual of a sensitive species, characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps: a) bringing said biological sample into contact with viral pseudoparticles produced from the culture supernatant of cells modified with a lentiviral vector expressing at least one membrane protein and/or envelope protein as defined in any one of claims 7, 9 to 12, 15 to 18 and 21 to 23, and b) revealing the antigen-antibody complexes formed in (a).
 37. Kit for carrying out the methods according to claims 31 to 36, characterized in that it comprises at least modified cells according to claim
 30. 